Getting paid for doing nothing
Tags: contract, economy, freelance, getting fired, laid off, unemployment
I just submitted the most awkward, weird, nervous-making, guilt-ridden invoice I ever have. (If you can assign attributes to an invoice.) That’s because I’m invoicing for work not done.
Since losing my job in November, I managed to secure a 3-month contract gig at an advertising agency. I’m a writer and I’ve been brought on to, well, write. But here’s the thing: there’s not a whole lot for me to do right at this moment. I’ve just completed 2 weeks during which I’ve been paid to essentially warm a chair. And at a time when thousands are losing their jobs, this has got to be among the most ironic and confusing circumstances I could find myself in. I’m even embarrassed, to tell the truth.
The work going through an ad agency can be cyclical. Generally, there’s way too much of it with seriously unrealistic deadlines, and, presumably, that’s why I was hired. This business is anything but 9 to 5, more like 9 to ??? and I have logged so many 12+-hour days – as well as all-nighters — that I’d hate to ever go back and actually calculate my past salaries at an hourly rate. (Keep in mind that agencies think that winning an award is as valuable to employees as being paid overtime.)
But back to the present. A few creative briefs have been held up by clients and outside of a few small little fixer-upper-jobs I’ve dispensed with quickly, I’ve been put on hold. I feel so guilty that I try to spend my time in ‘professional development’ following industry blogs, researching, etc.
Still, it’s hard to enjoy it, for while I sit here, I’m also petrified.
I can’t help but think surely the shoe’s going to drop and someone in a corner office is going to realize that paying someone to surf the net isn’t exactly good business at any time, much less so during a recession.
The creative director doesn’t really want to hear from me because it was his decision to bring me in. He knows how I’m spending my time and he certainly doesn’t want to flag a questionable business call.
The production manager says to me, “Enjoy it while you can,” then holds up some crazy colour-coded excel sheet showing all the work coming down.
The creative services manager says to me, “Don’t worry about it – just knowing you’re here helps. And things are going to change soon.”
The worst is that I hover between guilt and resentment. Held hostage to a desk without productive work feels ridiculous. But then it takes me all of .01 seconds to imagine the opposite – still unemployed and stressing about finding work – to tell myself to relax and accept things just as they are.
But relax? I’m still waiting for the thud of the dropping shoe.
Tags: contract, economy, freelance, getting fired, laid off, unemployment
PW said:
Jan 20, 09 at 10:27 amIt’s okay. Whether your circumstances are good or bad at the moment. Things will change, as they do for all of us. Also count your lucky stars that it’s not a “survival job”. Fries with that order?
fired said:
Jan 20, 09 at 11:12 amLol! Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the one thing we can count on now is change.
CMS said:
Jan 24, 09 at 11:19 amI totally understand how you feel, that was me this week working in ad agency with nothing to do, freaking out inside. And then it happened, the thud of the dropping shoe. Maybe this is a good thing for now, I can take a breather from the usual insane hours and deadlines, until I find a new job to do it all over again.
fired said:
Jan 24, 09 at 3:24 pmCarita, I’m so sorry you’ve joined the jobless masses. I hope they gave you a decent package to give you some breathing space. Know you’re in good company — I know of so many talented people who have been hit by this in the ad business. Let’s hope it rights itself soon.
CMS said:
Jan 26, 09 at 8:06 pmLet’s hope so indeed!
Sounds like Me said:
Feb 16, 09 at 3:57 pmI’m getting paid to read your blog, a reason I am on this site in the first place, I seriously wonder why I am being paid to sit here. It is driving be bonkers but while my boss is away, what can I do about it? I will just wait till he comes back, sometimes it crosses my mind that he just wants me to sit here and look pretty. He’s not married so it very well could be possible, I dunno. I try and do little things here and there, when I’ve run out of work, but otherwise I’ll just go along for the ride, I figure there are people who are rich and famous whom don’t really have to worry so I’m not going to worry my head over it, if he doesn’t like me anymore then I guess I know I’ll be looking for a job again!
Michelle said:
Jun 08, 09 at 7:26 amStop working; that is an American thing–this obscession called work. Stop getting into debt, stop buying junky american goods, stop eating out bad food. Live simply. people in USA live to work, not work to live. Enjoy working for nothing; the state and federal government do it all the time.
scooter said:
Dec 06, 09 at 6:55 pmWhat are the odds of exchanging links.
cosplay said:
Jun 24, 10 at 1:20 amStop working; that is an American thing–this obscession called work. Stop getting into debt, stop buying junky american goods, stop eating out bad food. Live simply. people in USA live to work, not work to live. Enjoy working for nothing; the state and federal government do it all the time.